Petite Messe Solennelle - Rossini, Gioachino

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"This work was Rossini's last major composition and dates from 1863. With typical ironic wit, the Mass is neither 'Petite' (taking around 75 minutes in performance) nor 'Solennelle'. It was first performed on 14 March 1864 on the occasion of the dedication of the private chapel of the Comte and Comtesse Pillet-Will in their home in the Rue Moncey. The work is dedicated to the Comtesse. The autograph score of the original version of this work is annotated by Rossini "Twelve singers of three sexes, men women and castrati, will be sufficient for its performance: that is to say eight for the chorus and four for the solos" This note is somewhat surprising, as 'castrati' had virtually died out by that period. It is of note that, in the first performance of this work, supervised by Rossini, the alto solo part was sung by a female contralto, not a male alto. Rossini also marked that the soloists should sing with the chorus. This would require a prodigious effort on the part of the soloists and modern concert choirs would not need this reinforcement. The current edition therefore does not suggest that the soloists double the chorus parts. First performed 1864. Rossini adopted the unique sound of harmonium and two pianos to accompany this work, and this should be replicated in performance where possible. The single piano accompaniment given here is for rehearsal purposes only. Rossini was later prevailed upon to orchestrate this work and he sought to ensure as little distortion of the work’s timbres and textures as possible. But the original harmonium/piano version may be thought to be the best."

⌛ Period → Romantic ◈ Genre → sort=Rossini

♯ Key C major

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → SATB|add=+ {{cat|Solo Soprano|S

◆ Difficulty

Elementary

↕ Range F2 – A5

¶ Language → Latin

Measures 93

Texture mixed texture

Parts 4

Instruments Harmonium and two pianos '''''or''''' orchestra

Pages 233

CPDL # 46447

Editor Johannes Becker

Posted 2017-09-23

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Soprano

C#4 – F5

Alto

G#3 – C5

Tenore

C#3 – F5

Basso

F2 – A5